2011 San Diego Chargers Predictions
Written by Steve Janus
The San Diego Chargers were a major disappointment in 2010. They came into the season as the clear favorites to win the AFC West, but ended up a game behind the Kansas City Chiefs at 9-7. The Chargers early season struggles finally caught up to them. Despite finishing the year 7-2, their 2-5 start was too much to overcome. It put an end to four straight division titles, and many wonder if the Super Bowl window has closed. I don’t think the Chargers are out of the picture just yet, if it wasn’t for one of the worst special teams units in the NFL they would have easily won the division last year.
Offense:
As long as Philip Rivers is the starting quarterback, the Chargers are going to have one of the top offenses in the league. Rivers proved he belongs in the elite group of quarterbacks after what he did in 2010 with a revolving door at wide receiver. He set a career-high with 4.710 passing yards and threw for 30 touchdowns to just 13 interceptions.
While the Chargers lost wide out Malcolm Floyd in free agency, the receiving corps figures to be even better in 2011 with a full season from star wide out Vincent Jackson, who played in just four games in 2010. Jackson will be joined by Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates and 2010 mid-season pickup Patrick Crayton. The Chargers also added some depth this offseason by drafting San Diego State wide out Vincent Brown and signing free agent Laurent Robinson.
The Chargers came into last year expecting big things out of rookie running back Ryan Matthews, but injuries and struggles holding onto the football limited him to just 678 yards and seven touchdowns. Converted fullback Mike Tolbert was a huge surprise, rushing for a team-high 735 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Chargers lost speedster Darren Sproles, but figure to have quite a duo in Matthews and Tolbert this season.
The offensive line features three Pro Bowlers in left tackle Marcus McNeil, left guard Kris Dielman, and center Nick Hardwick. They also like what they have in right guard Louis Vasquez and right tackle Jeromey Clary. Depth is a concern heading into the season, but if this unit stays healthy they will be one of the best in the NFL.
Defense:
The Chargers addressed a big need on the defensive line by drafting Illinois defensive end Corey Liuget, who should really help this team improve against the run this season. Liuget will be joined up front with veteran defensive end Luis Castillo and one of the big surprises of last year in nose tackle Antonio Garay.
Outside linebacker Shaun Phillips turned in a Pro Bowl season with 11 sacks in 2010, and is expected to really build off that performance in 2011. The three other spots are a bit of concern. Veteran inside linebacker Stephen Cooper is starting to slow down, and outside linebacker Larry English has yet to live up to the hype. The other inside spot is up for grabs after the team was unable to bring back Kevin Burnett and Brando Siler.
The Chargers took a big risk by signing strong safety Bob Sanders this offseason, but if the former Defensive Player of the Year can stay healthy, he could make this one strongest defenses in the NFL. Sanders will be joined by emerging free safety Eric Weddle and a couple of solid corners in Antoine Cason and Quentin Jammer.
Prediction: 1st AFC West, 11-5 – If it wasn’t for a down year in 2010, the Chargers would be coming into 2011 as the clear favorite to win the AFC West and a legit Super Bowl contender. While last year’s disappointing finish could be a sign of things to come, I believe it will light a fire under the Chargers. If they can fix the special teams problems, they should have no trouble taking down the division in 2011.
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